Patience No.21

Published July 26, 2012 Updated June 13, 2022

‘Patience No.21’ is a 52-card miniature deck with double-ended courts and a Joker holding a fan of cards.

1991 United Kingdom Gerich Karl Karl Gerich Miniature Patience

Karl Gerich: No.21 ‘Patience’, 1991

‘Patience No.21’ is a 52-card miniature deck with double-ended courts and a Joker holding a fan of cards. The figures in this pack are much simpler than many of Gerich's courts - partly reflecting the limited space available. All cards have a narrow border. The designs are inspired by ‘Salon No.66’ by V.S.S., originally a Büttner design. The spade suit signs are coloured blue, hearts are orange, clubs green and diamonds yellow.

Karl Gerch's ‘Patience No.21’ playing cards,1991

Above: cards from Karl Gerch's ‘Patience No.21’ playing cards, printed from copperplate etching on goatskin parchment paper, pasted to another sheet, pressed, hand coloured and varnished, published c.1991. Images courtesy Daphne & Mike Tregear.

References:

♣ Tregear, Mike and Daphne, "Karl Gerich: Card Designer and Maker", privately published.

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By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.

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